The story

Officials are close to lifting the evacuation orders for thousands of people that fled raging wildfires that have torched more than 20,000 acres of Southern California terrain, Los Angeles mayor said Tuesday.

"It is imminent. We can't give you an hour now, but we are close to lifting the order," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at Tuesday evening news conference.

? Two major fires -- the Marek and Sesnon blazes -- have burned more than 18,000 acres in the hills and mountains north of Los Angeles. Read full article »